Teratogenic reflexes

Caffeine, which is present in coffee, tea, cocoa and cola, but also in various over-the-counter medications, has been shown to be clearly teratogenic in rats in doses comparable to those ingested daily by many people (refs. 30, 47, 55). Vest et al. (ref. 47) found that a dose as small as 5 mg/kg caffeine (comparable to the content of 4 cups of coffee) administered on gestational days 3-19 in the rat, affected not only physical development (e.g. delayed incisor eruption in males and females, vaginal opening in females, slower growing body weight) but also development of the auditory startle reflex, food and water intake, passive and active avoidance at adult age. 

Rat pups exposed in utero to 8000 ppm MTBE and, to a lesser extent, those exposed to 3000 ppm, had statistically significant decreases in body weight during lactation compared with control pups and pups exposed in utero to 400 ppm. Effects on the central nervous system consisting of hypoactivity, ataxia, and loss of startle reflex were seen in adult rats exposed in utero to 3000 or 8000 ppm MTBE. No malformations were reported in the fetuses examined in the three studies in rats described above. Increased frequencies of skeletal malformations were found in fetuses from mice exposed to 4000 or 8000 ppm MTBE. When administered to mice at lower concentrations (1000 ppm), MTBE was neither teratogenic nor toxic to the mother or fetuses. 

Valproic acid often causes gastrointestinal distress and is potentially hepatotoxic. The use of this drug in pregnancy has been associated with teratogenicity (neural tube defects). Valproic acid inhibits the metabolism of barbiturates marked CNS depression may result if such drugs are given concomitantly. Peripheral neuropathy, in the form of diminished deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities, is associated with chronic use of phenytoin. The answer is (C). 

Toxicology LDLo (oral, mouse) 5 g/kg, (IV, mouse) 48 mg/kg LD50 (subcut., rat) 1200 mg/kg poison by IV route mod. toxic by ing., IP, subcut. routes human systemic effects potential adverse reactions incl. drowsiness, depressed reflexes, paralysis, low blood pressure, circulatory collapse experimental teratogen mutagenic data TSCA listed Precaution Noncombustible potentially explosive when heated with ethoxyethynyl alcohols... 

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